6/26/2016
Delaware International Speedway
SCOTT VANGORDER BECOMES SIXTH DIFFERENT WINNER IN DELAWARE BIG BLOCKS
By Charlie Brown, DELMAR, DE – Saturday night was Elliott Farms Night at the Delaware International Speedway. It was a great night for drivers with the last name of Smith and for first time winners.
The 25-lap NAPA Big Block Modified feature was a good one with Drew Simmons controlling the lead from his pole starting position. Robert Dutton looked strong running in the second spot while Scott VanGorder held down third in the early stages.
VanGorder was able to work by Dutton for second while Howard O’Neal climbed to third. O’Neal’s charge would end there as he slowed to bring out the first of only two cautions in the event on lap eight.
Matt Hawkins was on the move on the restart after starting in seventh. By lap 11 he was up to third. Disaster struck at the halfway sign. Simmons went high going into the first turn then got sideways and shot down the track. VanGorder managed to get by but Hawkins was not as fortunate. The two made hard contact which sent Hawkins flipping through the second turn. This car was quickly turned back on its wheels by the safety crews and Hawkins was shaken but able to climb from the badly damaged car and walk away.
VanGorder was now the pace setter with H.J. Bunting running in second. Bunting was able to get to the back bumper of VanGorder but that was as far as he would get as VanGorder became the sixth different winner this season. Bunting finished in second with the hard charging rookie, Carson Wright finishing in third. Trent Willey turned in his best performance in the division finishing in fourth and Dutton rounded out the top five. Heats were won by Matt Hawkins and VanGorder.
NAPA Big Block Modified Finish: 1. Scott VanGorder; 2. H.J. Bunting; 3. Carson Wright; 4. Trent Willey; 5. Robert Dutton; 6. Dave Dissinger; 7. Drew Simmons; 8. Matt Hawkins; 9. Brandon Watkins; 10. Howard O’Neal; 11. Michael White; DNS: Dale Hawkins.
